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Sunday, January 31, 2016

Folteraar (Torturer) is a black metal outfit hailing from Holland, consisting of B., who is responsible for the drums, and K., who plays the guitar and adds the vocals. Hardly anything is public about them, they seemingly, not confirmed, are members of The Black Heretic Order, which apparently is an underground circle of bands that are connected through their members and they have participated in a such an impressive list of bands and projects within TBHO, that I couldn’t help wonder if their days have more than 24 hours. TBHO is much like the French ‘Les Légions Noires’ which in turn was formed after the Norwegian ‘Black Metal Inner Circle’, founded by good old Euronymous, Mayhem’s guitar king. Being part of this implies Folteraar plays an anti-commercial, raw, almost primitive form of black metal, which in no way is an indication of the quality of the music and/or the skills of the musicians, mixed and produced in an equally raw and primitive fashion. That indeed is the case on ‘Vertellingen van een donkere eeuw’ (Tales of a dark century). Of course the fact that TBHO, the affiliated bands and their respective members are shrouded in mystery and, to some extent, obscurity help amplify the overall primitive, underground atmosphere that ‘Vertellingen…’ breathes as well. Not too much, though, because regardless whether the above is true or not, this album could still very well be considered the epitome of underground black metal.

On to the album then. It is not their first release as Folteraar, the last few years they have released more than a handful of splits, EP’s and demos, all in preparation of ‘Vertellingen…’, their first full-length. ‘Vertellingen…’ is, as far as I’m concerned, filled with black metal in its purest, nastiest form, as it was meant to be if you will. Relentless blast beats, screaming, threatening vocals and raw, somewhat monotonous guitar riffs, all at, mostly, high speed. It starts with an intro called ‘Innerlijk vuur’ (Inner fire) that, although it doesn’t seem that special, immediately gives you a feeling of unease, maybe even terror. And that is exactly what you keep on feeling throughout the entire album.

It might start off in relative peace with the intro followed by ‘De mars der ondoden’ (The march of the undead), provided peace is a word that can even be used in this context, but once ‘Droomgezichten’ (Dreamfaces) rears its ugly head you’re lost. All 12 songs of ‘Vertellingen…’ consist of various, but all equally terrifying forms of the filthiest black metal people can conjure up. Whether you play the grievous ‘Waan’ (Delusion), the terrifying ‘Mijn verlossing’ (My salvation), the maniacal ‘Lasterende gebeden’ (Blasphemic prayers), the at times derailing ‘Maalstroom in krankzinnigheid’ (Maelstom in insanity), the evil ‘Conjuratie van het kwaad’ (Conjuration of evil) or the at times oppressive ‘Onzuiver’ (Impure), every single song scares the hell out of you. Even the most accessible song on the entire album, ‘Nachtloper’ (Nightwalker) meets these standards.

To be honest, in my opinion the entire idea behind black metal calls for certain levels of primitivism, nihilism and terror in both music and production and Folteraar definitely ticks all the right boxes there. B. and K. obviously know how to play and, maybe even more important, how to create a terrifying atmosphere within each and every song. The harsh, threatening, at times insane sounding vocals are a substantial addition to that atmosphere, even though it’s impossible to determine what the exact phrases are. Also a not to be underestimated influence is the production, which sounds primitive, but in fact perfectly balances all layers of both the music and the vocals. “Vertellingen…’ is a black metal album that embodies all the filth and horror that is associated with the genre. Not the wisest choice for the faint of heart or the metal heads that are looking to take their first steps on the paths of black metal, but a definite no-brainer for the true fans.

This week, I’ll be covering a split CD of two Finnish underground bands. Lux Satanae was released through Hells Headbangers Records on December 14th, 2015. Archgoat is generally better classified as death metal, with its characteristic vocals, but you can definitely hear how the northern European atmosphere is fused in their recordings. Satanic Warmaster is a black metal band originating from 1998; this album is one amongst their many releases. Both bands, as the title should’ve revealed, are lyrically heavily influenced by Satanism and the occult, so listener beware.

Side A of the records features 4 tracks by Satanic Warmaster. Personally, I instantly wanted to hear more after finishing this. It starts off with ‘’Black Destiny’’, a track featuring a dark intro that quickly turns into a black metal song equivalent to early Marduk releases, it has a nice dark vibe to it with some great atmospheric interludes, and the vocals are just right, if you ask me. For this release, the band re-recorded some old classics and I must say, they’ve taken them to a way higher level. The song that stood out from these guys is actually a cover song called ‘’Satanic Winter’’, originally performed by Pest. Again, great choice, they didn’t choose to alter the song with their atmospheric influences, but instead created something more thrashy.

When switching to side B, you’ll soon notice that Archgoat’s tracks are shorter, with their longest track being only 3:03, however, this does not compromise the quality of the content. Though short, their repertoire is quite powerful, straightforward and loaded with bass, blastbeats and deeeeep grunts! The energy in their music is great, it has some atmospheric parts here and there, but honestly, it does sounds a bit the same all together. There were 3 tracks that really drew my attention. ‘’Penis Perversor’’ starts off with the sounds of someone being mutilated, before turning into a slow death metal jam. Two other tracks were ‘’Thrice Damned Sodomizer’’ and ‘’Rise of the Blackmoon’’, both of which are very powerful and melodic (in some parts).

Overall, I’d give this record a 7. Both bands are nice, but I like the style of Satanic Warmaster better. Anyway, I was interested enough in both to pull out some old records! I’d say, give it a try guys and share your thoughts!

"Gjennom marg og bein" is set to be released on March 11th on CD and LP through the Norwegian Metal Label Crime Records. "Gjennom marg og bein" was mixed and mastered by Endre Kirkesola at dUb Studio.

Building on the Folk Metal traditions of Lumsk, Gåte, Glittertind, Blodsmak are more heavy & less metal, fusing almost popish hooks and choruses with their thunderous grooves & insistent riffs among almost proglike elements and a melodic sensibility reminiscent of both introvert grunge
and 80's shameless stadium rock.

After a tour around the globe reviewing records, it’s time for me to come home and review a Dutch band, called Bring On The Bloodshed. Their newest record is called “Amongst the ruins”… let’s see what’s there!

This album is released through Bring On The Bloodshed’s own label, Nocturlabium Records, and comes with 9 tracks, loaded with a heavy cross-over between metalcore, black and thrash metal. And it’s very different from whatever you might have heard so far, and can find yourself indeed “amongst the ruins” when you listened to this record. From the very first second of opener “Redemption”, the brutality hits you in the face like a rabid bulldog. With mid-tempo riffs and growling, screaming vocals, the band tries to remain the holder of the world record “ripping your eardrums to pieces”. “Bleed to death” is as savage as it can get, with extreme changes in tempi, before we can breathe a bit with the doom-like “Ashes”. “When all hope dies” is very thrashy and “In the hands of Judas” strongly influenced by Slayer. “Pain to come” terminates this album in style.

Bring on the Bloodshed has got an original sound which will appeal to all metalcore fanatics. Definitely worth listening to if you’re into that genre! 8/10.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Another black metal band, another album review. Lately I have been immersed in black metal a lot for various reasons, and have gotten this album to review. As with every black metal album ever my expectations were considerably mediocre, because like with every metal genre older than 10-15 years the variety almost disappears and you only get some variety in lyrics and some odd instrument here and there.

Nachtlieder did make me question my presumed quality of modern black metal bands. The first track begins as expected, a very fast riff followed with blast beats and continues the tempo over the rest of the song. The second song continues in the light of the first song with fast riffs, term picking and blasts, while the third song shows some diversity. The song starts off slowly with some dissonance in the guitars, and after some time jumps to blast beats, at the midway part of the third song there is again a change of tempo, a slower more orchestral part of the song which is very commendable.

One of the things that shocked me is that the instruments were of the absolute quality. Even the bass can be heard clearly (using headphones it can be heard the best). The drum sound is great, and it is put in the mix superbly, the bass drum is heard on every strike during the blast beats. The drum triggers on the bass drum are not set to insane sensitivity and that is also great, as it is not as clicky as more and more triggering tends to sound like today. The guitars have a decent amount of compression, they maybe need a little bit more compression for my taste but that is just me. Despite the compression the guitars have clarity and the individual notes played are heard.

All in all Nachtlieder did a great job on this album and showed a considerable amount of professionalism on it. I give this album 9/10

Just thinking about black metal gives me visions of black-and-white facepaint and dark Scandinavian woods. Surprisingly, black metal sometimes comes from another continent altogether. Ghost Horizon has their hometown in Arizona, USA. A totally different landscape. No dark, endless woods, but desert and palm trees. Apparently this influences the interpretation of black metal is. Yes, there are heavy grunts and screams, yea double bass drum and fast guitars...but also space for more melody and contemplative sound effects.

This short EP, only three songs and less than 15 minutes in length, starts with an atmospheric introduction, including some spoken word. After a minute or so all hell breaks loose and Uræus’ vocal capacities take front stage. Rage, anger, passion, it all comes in at you at full speed. Daniel Stollings uses his guitar and bass to make both melody and heavy aggression.

All three songs are musically linked and flow into each other, though the different identity of all the songs remain upright.

‘I will raise you up for despair’ is one of the ..eeh...comforting lines of second song Spectral Threnody. The song is in my opinion not a typical black metal song. Musically it is a very nice balance of melody and really heavy darkness in one song. If a radio station would not mind depressingly heavy music, it could even have some airplay. The only downside of the song is its length. When you are really into the hypnotising song...it ends.

Final song Astral Possession (the cold years unearthed) takes us further down the spiral with more threnody, speed and aggression.

Altogether this is a refreshing way of making melodic black metal. Melody and heavy blackness is mixed into the songs, instead of separating the atmospheric, melodic parts from the heavy parts, like some bands do. This EP calls for more, because the only true depressing part of this release is its short length.

Mussorgski, a band with a long legacy in the death metal scene, returns with a new album: Creatio Cosmicam Bestiae; ambient, black as death, but still with a good foundation underlying all. The band does what all should think they would, as some of the black metal scene will never want to change one thing about the bad recording quality, and the obscureness which perhaps is just as fitting for a genre that’s prone to lurking in the shadows. Meaning no disrespect to any black metaller, it is still distinguishable in Mussorgski’s new album that there is some break with this tradition; It’s no use holding up the sentiment when what you really want to achieve with your sound is an ambient, large, epic sound. And that happens, certainly not throughout, but in a lot of moments Mussorgski find the grandeur and are truly eerie, dark and mysterious.

Khorzon, responsible for all instruments and most of the vocals on the tracks of Creatio Cosmicam Bestiae, is gifted when setting an atmosphere with just a few simple points of introduction. The keyboards play a big part on this album, and are mostly responsible for this. The eerie strings wrap everything else up and bind it together. Also very powerful and interesting are the rest of the electronics, which are somewhat strange sometimes but go more towards a space-like feel, something rare in black metal and nonetheless pretty well mixed in. The guitars, however, lack somewhat in strength due to the heavy presence of this strings section. They drown in the rest of the music, while they could have given the album just that bit more grittiness and power. The vocals are the ones who have to make this happen but they only achieve this brutality at times, which is somewhat of a shame.

Overall, this album is an easy listen if you are up to some gloomy atmosphere that is not all up in your face but still has its moments of grandeur. Creatio Cosmicam Bestiae is at times very eerie and truly menacing. It is very slow and repetitive but the musical phrases are very well assembled and the subtle differences never result in a dull moment. Concluding, this is definitely an album worth listening to for fans of the genre, and this old band still has what it takes to get you taken away to darkness.

"Speed Of The Hawk", official video is taken from the album "Death Rider“ Release date: March 25th, 2016 @ Pure STEEL Records.

The wait is over, after more than two years since Split Heaven’s last release, Mexico’s speed metal demons return. Their last effort, ”The Devil’s Bandit”, was released on Pure Steel's sub label Pure Legend, but this new album is coming back through Pure Steel Records, like they did with "Street Law“ in 2011. Now in 2016, Split Heaven is back with a vengeance with their new album “Death Rider”. They have formed an alliance with their new singer Jason Conde-Houston, from Seattle, the frontman of US Metal band Skelator. He is strongly influenced by high pitched legends like Helstar’s James Rivera and Primal Fear’s Ralf Scheepers. As always Split Heaven is keeping it true, this time with “Painkiller” style double bass drumming, “Thundersteel” style guitar melodies, and glorious NWoBHM style solos. This album features an uptempo smasher “Speed Of The Hawk”, the spanish fistpumper “Descarga Letal” as well as the striking opener “Death Rider”. The explosive, crushing, “Death Rider” will take the hearts of many Metal maniacs by storm! Split Heaven returns stronger than ever!

Martyr - "Into The Darkest Of All Realms", official video is taken from the album "You Are Next“ Release date: March 31th, 2016 @ Pure Steel Publishing.

After the release of the highly acclaimed "Circle Of 8" in 2011 Pure Steel proudly presents You Are Next, the next step in the ever-changing cycle of the pompous metal act Martyr. Without disrespect yet always following their own path they bring you their latest sonic assault on your ears in the form of heavy, thrash and power metal all into one.

By fusing the ingredients of past releases and modern elements they bring you a deadly cocktail of what will remind you of how it felt to be alive again. Raw, unfiltered and passionate energy in the form of a prescription for your daily dose of metal health. No need for the doctor's appointment because it appears that You Are Next on our schedule.

With Diabol Boruta Pure Steel is proud to present a new band on the Publishing sector, which plays Folk metal with Polish lyrics; something you don’t find everywhere. With „Stare Gledzby“ they will just release their second album.
The quintet from Rzeszów is obviously affected by acts such as Ensiferum, Finntroll and Korpiklaani (who got covered with a successful version of „Vodka“), without just copying their influences. Music to dance to, although traditional Metal influences can’t be denied. The charismatic, Polish Lyrics give an exotic flair to the varied compositions, folkloristic instruments are placed useful and precise. Lovers of Eastern-European cult bands will enjoy the rough, crude vocals, which remind back to the Russian Thrashers Korrozia Metalla.
This album is a must have-item for every drinkable met aficionado!
To all the rock'n'roll lovers – listen to our album and have a look at the translation of the lyrics. If you like fast, folk-rock music, interesting poetry about real creatures living back in the Middle Ages but also these days – such as water nymphs, water-elves, Slavic ghosts – you won't be disappointed! With your legs stumping, and your body prancing about like during a crazy campfire party, with your head moshing to the rhythm of the music, you won't realize the moment you start singing with us... Check it out (Diabol Boruta)

Pagan Records is proud to announce the signing of Cracovian act Ragehammer for their debut full-length. Established in 2012, the quartet has already made a lot of noise due to their uncompromising take on old-school thrash, black and speed metal. Their War Hawks demo (2012) received plentiful of positive reviews and currently the band is putting the final touches on their debut full-length, entitled The Hammer Doctrine. The album will be released this Spring through Pagan Records and will be followed up by a 7-inch vinyl split with Sweden's Turbocharged through Godz ov War/Mythrone Promotion.

Comprised of members from legendary Quebec bands Ghoulunatics, Les Ékorchés, Arseniq 33 and currently active Vantablack Warship, Montreal, QC based stoner thrash influenced metallers Buffalo Theory MTL return to the scene with their first single 'Punishment' from their fourth and latest offering 'Skeptic Knight' set for release via Stand Productions on February 26th, which is available for pre-order on iTunes here.

The EP is the follow up to 2014's 'Murder Trilogy' EP and their 2012 full length 'Heavy Ride' and was recorded at Indica Studio in Montreal, QC where it was produced by Buffalo Theory MTL along with Peter Edwards (Grimskunk). Featuring five annihilating tracks each with its own eclectic flavour / twist, all will appeal highly to fans of Down, COC, Queens of the Stone Age and Black Sabbath.

"Punishment – is the song that has that "Stoner Rock meets Thrash Metal" type of vibe. It will hit your brain as an out of control train and probably be stuck there for a while… it really looks like punishment!" comments bassist Gary Lyons.

Toronto, ON based metal outfit Exes For Eyes along with the support of Canadian metal bands Endast, Great Sabatini, Last Scattering, Odium, Planet Eater, Sparky, Out of The Ruins, Ninjaspy, KYOKTYS, Mad Trapper, BornBroken and Of Reverie are teaming up to help raise cancer treatment funds for a long time metal fan whom has been battling AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia). All the bands have come together by selling all their albums for $1 here.

Plus Exes For Eyes have posted the following video message

Pictured above is Exes For Eyes vocalist Big Metal James with friend and long time music scene supporter, Josh Todder Tetley.

Big James comments:
"This picture was taken at Heavy Montreal, right after one of the most important performances/moments of Exes For Eyes' career. Josh was there showing us love and support, and now it's our turn to show HIM love and support through some difficult times.

Back in March, Josh was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia). After several treatments, chemo, and a stem cell transplant, Josh and his family were informed in December that the Leukemia had returned. The doctors are doing what ever they can to help Josh, but some of the treatments are not covered by OHIP...one of the treatments will cost almost 7000 dollars.

We've banded together with some close friends in the scene to help raise money for these medical expenses. Several bands (including Exes For Eyes, Endast, The Great Sabatini, Last Scattering, Planet Eater, Out Of The Ruins, Sparky, Ninja Spy etc.) will all be selling their album for $1.00 here at ExesForEyes.com with all proceeds going towards Josh's treatment for the duration of his GOFUNDME campaign. Keep checking back, as more music will added in the coming days. On top of purchasing music, if you wish to make additional contributions directly to Josh's campaign, please click here."

Vocalist/guitarist Gabe Tachell comments about the release:
"The name An Outsider is about the struggle that comes with being different, it's a love/hate situation. You want to shine but you're afraid of it at the same time. You want to create trends, not follow them, but it's scary to be the first one. It also has to do with social struggles and always feeling like a stranger. The album isn't entirely cohesive though, no song is alike, we experiment a lot with mixing genres. It's really all over the map emotionally too, not just angry and dark, but sometimes totally ironic or sometimes very deep and inspiring. It mixes in emotions you wouldn't typically hear on a metal record like joy and nostalgia. The listening experience is a journey that won't get you worn out on a single emotion, instead it is dynamic like we are as humans."

'An Outsider' is the follow up to Rhine's 2011 debut 'Duality', which was first a solo effort by band founder Gabriel Tachell (guitar and vocals) whom is now joined by Alex Smolin on guitar (ex-Metameric), James Porter on bass (Ideofone), and Carlos Delgado (Inferion, ex-Death Crowned King) to collaborate on this project. To pre-order 'An Outsider', please visit the following link here.

Following the release of their Darkness Evermore sophomore LP through 20 Buck Spin last year, Portland-based Nightfell has amassed an active live lineup, as the band's initial shows begin to take form for the months ahead.

Founded by Todd Burdette (Tragedy, His Hero Is Gone, Warcry) and Tim Call (Aldebaran, Mournful Congregation), Nightfell will now expand for live excursions, the duo now welcoming Derek Willman (From Ashes Rise, Hellshock) and VB (ex-Anhedonist) to the live lineup. The band's first live performance has already been confirmed, with two Northwestern US shows, in Olympia on March 11th, and Portland on March 12th.

The band is also set to take part in the inaugural Migration Festival in Olympia on August 12th, 13th, and 14th. The fest, hosted by 20 Buck Spin and Gilead Media, will see Nightfell joining Auroch, The Body & Krieg, Christian Mistress, Dead To A Dying World, False, Fórn, Full Of Hell, Khemmis, Kowloon Walled City, Krallice, Mutilation Rites, Obsequiae, Pale Chalice, Thou, Vastum, Vhol, and more.

Stand by for additional Nightfell live announcements in the months ahead.

Released in September 2015, Nightfell's Darkness Evermore picked up where their Southern Lord-released The Living Ever Mourn debut LPleft off, reaffirming the potency of the band's morose brand of metal that simply doesn't even acknowledge genre barriers, the duo organically creating an intense, brooding brand of musical hatred forged of their own volition. Darkness Evermore unloaded more than forty-minutes of demoralizing and incredibly sculpted gloomy metal, recorded and mixed at Red Lantern Studios by Evan "Maus" Mersky, mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, and bearing cover art by Carl Auge of His Hero Is Gone.

An epic new cut from Los Angeles based experimental/doom/rock group Deathkings is now streaming exclusively at The Obelisk. "The Storm" follows here.

Deathkings will release their second full length album, All That Is Beautiful on March 18. Another new song,"Sol Invictus," is now streaming at this location.

The band has also announced its Spring Tour MMXVI. Confirmed dates are below:
March 30 Que Sera, Long Beach, CA
April 1 The Merrow, San Diego, CA
April 2 Starlite Lounge, Sacramento, CA
April 3 High Water Mark, Portland, OR
April 4 Blacklodge, Seattle, WA
April 5 The Golden Bull, Oakland, CA
April 6 Complex, Glendale, CA

In the wake of their debut album, Destroyer, as well as the recent vinyl 7" split with Rozamov through Midnite Collective, Deathkings descended upon listeners with their bleak, yet enlightening look at the world around them. This state of unrest was developed and channeled into aural and material form with the help of Derek Donley (Bereft, Gravitron, National Sunday Law, You Big Ox, Pigeonwing, Intronaut) at his Ox Cave Studios in Los Angeles. With Donley at the helm, the band steers the listener through the blending of drowning, desperate rage blended with tranquil undertones.

All That Is Beautiful was finished in early 2014 at Donley's Ox Cave Studios. Uniting with the Midnite Collective for the third time, both entities have grouped to carefully craft a visually stunning package, deserving of the music contained therein. The band will unleash aural and visual ruin on digital, CD, cassette tape, and vinyl (later in the year) formats starting this Spring Harvest, 2016.

Melbourne, Australia-based extreme black/noise metal project Nekrasov has closed a four-year gap in albums with the independent release of the awaited, and utterly traumatic, Negative Temple.

Directly following the release of the There Is No Other Way EP in December, Negative Temple marks the soloist's sixth full-length release, among a heap of additional EPs and split releases since the project's 2007 inception, including titles through Crucial Blast and Crucial Blaze offshoot, Siege Of Power, Void Séance, Chrome Leaf, and others. Churning with seven new tracks of utter chaos, Nekrasov's already notoriously extreme "black metal from beyond the veil" comes hammering forth with demented ferocity. A full-scale dose of torrential black metal with an industrialized and apocalyptic agenda meshes with supremely horrifying electronic soundscapes hailing from the mind of a true musical madman with the vision of a dimension of pure chaos is what you can expect. Those who frequently abuse themselves with the works of De Magia Veterum, Aborym, Leviathan, V.E.G.A., Krieg, Gnaw Their Tongues, Valdur, T.O.M.B., Striborg, and the like will bow and hail Nekrasov's Negative Temple.

Negative Temple is out now directly through Nekrasov, digitally as well as in a limited run of only 50 custom CD-Rs

Negative Temple Track Listing:
1. Negative Temple
2. Seeing Of The Mountain Covered In Spirits
3. Purity Of Oblivion
4. The Tears Of Joy When The Throat Is Cut For There Is Always Nothing And Only That
5. You Are Not Bliss, You Are Not Free
6. Clarity And Nonvision
7. Hanging Of The Shaman

Battleground Records has joined up with Arizona-based solo outfit, Via Vengeance, for the release of the project's recently completed second full-length, Harsh Conditions.

Via Vengeance is the creation of solitary member Shane Ocell, the drummer of Phoenix-based dynamic sludge troupe, Sorxe. With his solo project, Ocell handles all instrumentation and vocals, even performing the tracks himself at live performances without the use of any looping or manipulation devices. After forming the project in 2006, a self-titled album was recorded in 2007 with Matt Bayles (Botch, Mastodon, Isis) and self-released later that year. Sporadic touring and live performances followed for the next few years, including a tour with A Storm Of Light in 2010, the same year Ocell recorded his follow-up album, Harsh Conditions. The record has been on the back burner since its creation, mainly due to focus on Sorxe, but the album finally comes forth through a new deal with Battleground Records.

Recorded in Phoenix by Jared Cox, Harsh Conditions delivers forty-two minutes of the straightforward and pentatonic Via Vengeance stylemid-paced doom metal with a wholly ethereal feel to each movement. The eleven tracks formulate a thematic concept about Winter survival, adding an even more organic element to the overall album. As always, Ocell performs all guitars, drums, vocals, and other instrumentation on the album, outside of several special guest appearances on the album, including warm elements of piano and clean vocal harmonies from the artist's grandmother, BJ Scott, as well as vocals on another track by longtime friend Josh Graham of A Storm Of Light, whom also created the immersive winter elements cover artwork for the album.

Battleground Records will release Harsh Conditions on CD and digital formats on March 11th, 2016. The album's artwork and track listing have been released; preorders and audio samples will be made available in the coming days.

Via Vengeance will be heading out on a US tour in March with Gomi, kicking off the very day Harsh Conditions is released. The final dates are being sorted now, the entire routing to be announced in several days.

'Streetcleaner', the debut album from British industrial metal pioneers Godflesh, has been reissued on limited edition coloured vinyl and is available now.

Originally released in 1989, 'Streetcleaner' took an altogether different approach to extremity with its fusion of heavy guitars with drum loops and effects, inspiring countless bands in the process. After many years out of print, the album is available once again on vinyl, featuring remastered audio by founding member Justin Broadrick.

'Streetcleaner' is available on Streetcleaner Clear and Locust Furnace Orange vinyl, limited to just 500 copies of each. Order your copy while supplies last in Europe here or in the USA here.

'The Haunted', the self-titled debut album from Swedish metal heavyweights The Haunted is available now on vinyl for the first time ever.

Originally released in 1998 and featuring three members of the recently-split (but since reformed) At The Gates, the album planted The Haunted firmly in the metal scene, receiving huge critical praise and being voted as "Album of the Year" by Terrorizer Magazine.

The album is available now as part of Earache's "First Time On Vinyl" campaign, which looks back at some of the label's classic albums which have never before been released on LP.

'The Haunted' is available on Shattered Clear and Blood Rust Red vinyl, limited to just 500 copies of each colour. Order your copy now while supplies last in Europe here or in the USA here.

Portuguese ambient doom rockers Sinistro are premiering the first wonderfully melancholic track taken form their forthcoming album 'Semente', which will hit the stores worldwide on April 8th.

The song "Relíquia" is now streaming below.

Sinistro comment: "The song 'Relíquia' is about an old lady revisiting past memories and daydreaming about them in order to escape her present state of solitude. The landscape of her memory is her real world."

Director José Dinis adds: "The vídeo was shot in a perfect sunny day where vivid colors were consumed by the melancholic tones of this song cast in a black and white screen, creating a set of perfect intimacy and sympathy with the character."

Sinistro are simultaneously revealing the artwork and tracklist of 'Semente', which are as follows:

Portugal is well known for its fascination with the morbid. Death is part of daily conversation. Its national chant, Fado, is the musical incarnation of melancholy and painful longing called "saudade". And the country's capital Lisbon only wakes up in the darkness of night.

From this unlikely location, Sinistro emerged as an embodiment of both lush and devastating musical landscapes driven by five individuals from distinct art circles. Their new album 'Semente' ("Seed") is a fascinating exercise in amalgamating this national legacy into dark and fascinating sound. This unique music is quite hard to easily tag and file into a drawer. The mind tries tricks and attempts constructions like Lana Del Rey meets My Dying Bride – only to drop the idea a minute later.

Looking for points of reference, Sinistro might at any moment give reason for comparison with Massive Attack, Ennio Morricone, Boards Of Canada, Howard Shore, Radiohead, Faith No More, Angelo Badalamenti, David Bowie, Swans, Unwound, Mogwai, and Crippled Black Phoenix. Yet none of these names dropped here will make sense at another sequence. It is very much up to each listener to determine their own points of reference.

Sinistro have been cultivating such sonic exploration since writing their self-titled debut album, which was released in 2012 and delivered elegant doom rock combined with a soundtrack like approach that harvested praise from both public and critics alike.

Sinistro's following effort 'Cidade' (2013) welcomed singer Patrícia Andrade on board and went on to explore a massive wall of guitars combined with gritty keyboard layers and an emotional vocal performance. Backed by unanimous critical acclaim, 'Cidade' established Sinistro as an essential name in the Portuguese music scene.

Sinistro began composing 'Semente' in 2014. The band added a second guitarist to the fold, who helped push their unique style another step further. Keeping a cinematic feeling in the background, the Portuguese vary from abrasive musical thickness to a perfect sense of stillness, which portrays the urban landscapes of their homeland and its legacy with a strong visual presence. Sinistro created seven brand new tracks that are bound to appeal to music fans of various genres. Now we shall leave you and kindly ask you to listen carefully to form your own opinion…

Today, Canadian doom-sludge warlords Seer stream the entirety of their debut album, Vol. 1 & 2, out now via Art of Propaganda. Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Seer was formed in the fall of 2014 as the days drew short and a chill set in the air. Very much a product of their environment, the band draws inspiration from the natural power of the Pacific Northwest and harnesses it into epic, expansive doom-sludge. Amid the region's awe-inspiring mountains, serene temperate rainforests, and immense Pacific Ocean, Seer's backyard is occupied by lakes, rivers, evergreens and abundant wildlife. Such a proximity and affinity to the local natural world has kindled a deep and ever-present connection to nature for Seer, resonating in an authentic and organic approach to their music. This combined with a true rock n' roll spirit and inclination toward fantasy, science fiction, and the occult make up the foundation on which Seer lays its colossal riffs and Cascadian atmospherics, all of which overflow across the vast vistas of Vol. 1 & 2. Hear all that overflow below.

Beginning with Vol. 1, which comprises the first two songs, Seer's lyrical content tells of an ever-expanding narrative journey across bleak and barren realms, boundless primordial landscapes, and even further into the celestial beyond. By Vol. 2, which are tracks 3-6, the journey reaches a feverish, almost nightmarish pitch, portraying the mental battle that occurs during this journey. Together, both volumes suggest further forays into the great unknown. With gargantuan, three-dimensional production and ever-insistent tectonic groove, Seer take the listener on a voluminous, volcanic trip to a nameless unknown not unlike the album's evocative cover artwork, courtesy of Adam Burke. Cover and tracklisting are as follows: are as follows:

French electro-metal artist and producer, The Algorithm is thrilled to announce his signing to Detroit-based electronic/rock label FiXT, along with the release of his third album, 'Brute Force' due out on April 1, 2016.

The Algorithm mastermind once again delivers an impressive mash of metal sub-genres, with EDM, techno, synthwave and sheer lunacy, whilst exploring sonic extremes and depths further than ever before. Having refined his craft since 2014's highly acclaimed Octopus4,, Remi's work on

'Brute Force' has added maturity and seamless cohesion that further affirms 'The Algorithm' sound that is uniquely his own.

In sync with the signing and album announcements, The Algorithm has teamed up with Metal Hammer UK to release a brand-new track, "Floating Point" that will be featured on the forthcoming album, 'Brute Force.'

Listen to "Floating Point" below.

Acclaimed world-wide, The Algorithm received the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for "Best Underground Act", has performed at key festivals including Download Festival (UK) and Big Day Out Festival (AU), and has toured alongside Enter Shikari, TesseracT, The Qemists, and more.

Mighty Music are extremely proud to welcome Prophets Of Addiction to the family.

Michael H. Andersen, Mighty Music CEO says "It's been a long time since I've heard something as authentic and cool as this band and believe me Lesli Sanders is the real deal when it comes to a guy having lived - and still living - the rock'n'roll life! We are very excited at the office to be working with this great band".

Every once in a great – and blessed – while, a band comes along that encapsulates everything that's great about rock-n-roll. The Prophets of Addiction is that band. These guys are so authentic and such masters at what they do that it's like some mad scientist extracted the pure essence from their genre – Guns N' Roses, The Ramones, Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Dead Boys, Backyard Babies, Lords of the New Church, Motley Crue and all the best glam/punk bands – and gave rise to The Prophets of Addiction. With songs that will play in your head long after the album stops and looks that kill, The Prophets of Addiction are the total package. It's been way too long for a band like POA to come to us lovers of metal, mascara and musical mayhem.

The Prophets Of Addiction is the brain child of Lesli Sanders formerly of Pretty Boy Floyd, as well as touring bassist for Marky Ramone and Phil Lewis (LA Guns). While Sanders handles lead vocals and bass guitar, joining him in Prophets of Addiction are Jimmy Mess on drums, Brandon Barger and G.G. on guitars.

The Prophets of Addiction are releasing their second album entitled: "Reunite the Sinners" worldwide on Mighty Music (ex. Japan / Bickee Music) on the 15th of April 2016.

Phil Soussan (Ozzy, Billy Idol, etc) a long time collaborator on Sanders´' work have handled the mixing and mastering duties.

Check out the official lyric video here for the first single "As We Fall" released on all digital platforms on Friday the 29th of January 2016

Prog metal outfit Third Ion, featuring former members of The Devin Townsend Band and Into Eternity, has announced that the band's new vocalist is none other than Dave Padden (ex-Annihilator)! Padden replaces departed vocalist Tyler Gilbert. The band issued the following statement about the lineup change:

"Sadly, after our last gigs, our singer Tyler informed us he was leaving the band. We loved having him, but his heart and passion lie with his own music. We wish him all the best, and good luck with his future! Right away we wasted no time and got right on the search for a new singer. Dave's demo blew us away, and not to mention he has an incredible amount of experience! We have been sitting on this news since the summer, and after getting back from Vancouver this week, with a finished album worth of vocal tracks I am absolutely psyched to announce Dave Padden as the singer for Third Ion!"

Third Ion are currently recording the follow-up to 2015 Glasstone Records debut album 13/8bit. The sophomore effort will also be released on Glasstone. An audio clip of the band recording with Padden can be heard below.

13/8Bit is available on CD format through the label and in digital format on iTunes. Album artwork comes courtesy of Harley K at Necrographix. The album is streaming on Spotify here. 13/8Bit can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, Base, and other online retailers.

Third Ion is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, and science. The debut album will contain eight to ten songs, including the title track which is written entirely in 13/8 time signature. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980s classic gaming inspirations.

Wreaking havoc with their forth Small Stone release, Sasquatch continue to lead the way with their fiery brand of rock n' roll. Drawing on influences from 70's metal, rock and psychedelia, the band falls somewhere between an amalgamation of Black Sabbath, old Soundgarden, Deliverance-era Corrosion of Conformity, Mountain, and a bastardized version of Grand Funk Railroad.

After shaking some walls with 4 critically acclaimed studio records, features on a variety of movies and television shows including the reissue of Clerks, FX's original hit series Sons of Anarchy, A&E's Dog The Bounty Hunter, Jersey Girl, CW's The Supernatural, as well as MTV's Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union and more, Sasquatch have just announced to return to Europe for an extensive tour in early 2016 in support of the re-release of their back catalog on LP through Cargo Germany. This includes the first vinyl pressing globally of their 2004 self-titled debut album.

Scout leader Keith Gibbs mentioned that "My bags are packed and eagerly wait by the front door. Sasquatch always regretted not touring Europe for the first record, but we are back this time around to make things right and bring it full circle."

Look for the band to be gearing up for an early 2016 European tour and make sure to catch Sasquatch live on the following dates:

It's been a couple of years since Norway's Slegest released their debut full-length album on Dark Essence Records to much critical acclaim, and with fans wondering when they can expect to hear more, the band have today revealed that their sophomore album is well on the way to completion. The new work is being recorded and mixed at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, with Vulture Industries Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen at the helm. With mixing just about finished, the album is set for release on Dark Essence Records during 2016.

Slegest was formed in 2010 by former Vreid guitarist Ese, originally with the intention of playing Black Sabbath inspired music with harsh vocals. Not one to leave a good idea to languish, Ese took the concept further and Slegest grew into the rock-orientated entity it is today, with a sound that is distinguished by a very definite Black Metal edge, and which Metal Hammer described as a "focused attempt to marry the atmospheres and primitivism of the blackened hordes to the rumbling swagger of prime Black Sabbath and the best strident old-school metal... with a subtle melodic sense that owes its leather-clad backside to Dio, Priest and even Scorpions".

Slegest's first release was the self-titled 2012 EP, which appeared as both a digital release and as a 7" vinyl on Ese's own label Systrond Recordings. With Norway's Dark Essence Records, a label that has, over the years, demonstrated an uncanny ability to spot some the best local talent around, snapping up the band, Slegest's debut full-length album "Løyndom" appeared in the autumn of 2013. The response to "Løyndom" convinced Ese that this was a project that needed to be made into a full-blown live band, and with Ese (ex-Vreid) on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, Sør (Bäääv, Vonbraten) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (Bombeklüchter) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums, Slegest hit the road with Taake and earned themselves a whole new set of admirers.

Commenting on what fans can expect from their sophomore album, Ese had this to say: "We will pick up where we left off with "Løyndom" - mid-paced heaviness in all its glory and filth. I have read blackened doom applied as a description to our music. But really you need to add a good dose of rock and then you might get the idea of what we are all about. There is so much to explore in our world of heavy rock and we are proud of our new songs which, to our ears - and, after all, we are the blueprint - sounds bloody brilliant. The album will of course deal with death, and, since I write all the music and spend plenty of time thinking about death, I guess it is safe to say that we are most likely onto something".

Friday, January 29, 2016

Blackened thrash metal act, Bloodthirst, have completed work on their upcoming mini-album, Glorious Sinners. The material, which will include five brand new tracks, was recorded at Left Hand Sounds studio. Kontamination Design is responsible for the cover artwork. The recording line-up features Rambo (guitar, vocals), Gregor (guitars, vocal), Rybosh (bass) and Mnt (drums). More information coming soon!

Bloodthirst were formed in 1999 in the Goat City of Poznań, Poland. After a few demos and split releases they have signed to the highly acclaimed Pagan Records and released three full-length albums: Let Him Die (2007), Sanctity Denied (2009) and Chalice Of Contempt (2014). Their sound is based on the classical thrash pounding but also widely influenced by black and death metal of the 90s. Over the years they have proven themselves in the metal scene to be one of the most respected Polish black/thrash ensembles which in turn led to opportunities to perform with cult names such as Samael, Destroyer 666, Nunslaughter, Aura Noir, Kat, Vader and other respected Polish bands. Never part of the pathetic "old-school" hype, always spitting in the face of the modern trend, the four emissaries of hellfire and malice, have trodden their own path of Hateful Antichristian Thrash. Having solidified their current line-up (with Gregor handling the second axe since 2015), holding their heads up high and proudly drinking to the diabolical, Bloodthirst are ready to unleash Glorious Sinners.

Check out the title track from their album Chalice Of Contempt (2014) below.

Irish Pagan Metallers Primordial have just announced a 10-date strong European tour in April of this year. The hand-picked line-up includes Icelandic Black Metallers Svartidaudi and German extremists Ketzer! The tour marks the first Primordial headliner tour in ten years, do not miss out on this rare opportunity!

Comments Primordial: "Well isn't it about fucking time we tour Europe again? Been long over due, but time moves slow in Primordial land. So here we are in 2016 ready to announce a week and a half with Ketzer and Svartidaudi. What goes around comes around, so we've made the package interesting and we will honour a proper long set taking in all of the bands works. To make it worth your damn while. 70s style…No festival sets this time. so stoke the fire before Europe burns to the ground and we shall see you all at the feast of the GHOSTS OF THE CHARNEL HOUSE!"

Comments Ketzer: "Having just released our third album Starless, we now got a fever and the only prescription (besides more cowbell) is to finally bring the new songs on stage. So, we are more than pleased to announce that we will hit the road in April and tour through Europe together with Primordial and Svartidaudi. The opportunity to join such a diverse line-up makes us even more excited. Make sure to catch the "Ghosts of the Charnel House" Tour and join in when we will combine old and new songs to a mesmerizing unity!"

Primordial released their latest album 'Where Greater Men Have Fallen' in November of 2014. Watch the videoclips and order your copies of the album here.

Ketzers new album 'Starless' is out now via Metal Blade Records. Listen to the album and order your copies here.

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets March 18th as the international release for Decrepit Soul's second album, The Command of War!!, on both LP and CD formats. Hailing from the barbaric metal hotbed of Australia, Decrepit Soul have been patiently perfecting their craft the last seven years over the course of three demos, a split, and a subsequent debut album last year, Uncreated and Eternal. But compared to their more traditionalist black metal beginnings, the duo blast forth with an utterly unhinged fury on The Command of War!! Not for nothing does drummer Marcus Hellcunt (Vomitor, ex-Bestial Warlust and Gospel of the Horns) now play in Decrepit Soul: the band's sawn-off sound throbs with a crushing gnarliness that can only come from the most hellish climes Down Under. That sound is also rendered in absolutely punishing form by a robust 'n' well-rounded recording that allows both clarity and vulgarity, shining steel and bloodied earth. The Command of War!! is a record that doesn't reinvent the wheel so much as bulldoze through it, tearing asunder any last remnants of "progression" or "good taste." Decrepit Soul are crude 'n' rude warriors, bestial and unbowed, prepared to grind the bastards down - hail The Command of War!! Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

American vocalist/guitarist Lita Ford is set to release her latest album Time Capsule on Steamhammer/SPV on 15 April 2016. The very special and unusual recording turns back the clock to a time when honest, down-to-earth rock music was still handmade and recorded without digital tricks and contraptions. Time Capsule is a "throwback" record that boasts identifiable voices and brilliant players jamming without any planning or pressure. Some of the album`s highlights: Billy Sheehan (bass), Rodger Carter (drums), Dave Navarro (mandolin), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander (backing vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass).

"There was a shitload of these 24-track analog tapes in the closet in my house (in the islands)," Ford recalls. "This is some of the best work I`ve ever done and it was sitting there. I grabbed two suitcases and took them back to the United States." Imagine Ford dragging a pair of suitcases full of analog tapes through the Caribbean dirt back to Los Angeles, so, as she recalls, "we could bake these fuckers," due to their age. "If you just put them on the reel, they would flake. I was chewing my fingernails, thinking, ´Please work!` And they did!"

Time Capsule contains ten songs plus intro and will be available as a digipak as well as an LP version and download. It`s Ford`s gift to fans who love the ´80s, when thrilling vocal performances, raunchy riffs, and loud, growling guitars were as essential as oxygen.

Fresh from battle, dripping from the gore exposed by Blood Eagle Conan return with their newest release Revengeance. With inspiration taken from video games, retro sword and sorcery movies, ancient battle scenes and the hum and aroma of warm output valves they have laid down 6 songs of total heaviness, unsurpassed in their blend of brutality and tone, groove and flow. Prepare to be blown away by the heaviest Conan album yet as they hack, slash and charge their way into your subconscious.

Conan front man Jon Davis commented on the new album and upcoming tour:
“Revengeance is the sound of hacking and slashing in Golden Axe, throwing coins into Gauntlet and still failing. Failure and triumph, sword and sorcery.
We are excited to visit the US again and make our first trip to Canada. Our tour in 2015 was awesome, and we look forward to doing this all again.
See you at the front.”

UK Battle Doomsters Conan will return to North American this March alongside Serial Hawk